Many people know that Russians like to drink, especially vodka, and it is common to see drunken people on the street. But many people don't necessarily know that during World War II, the Soviet authorities provided 100 grams of vodka to Soviet soldiers every day. This item order is called "People's Commissar 100 grams".
The "People's Commissar 100 grams" became almost legendary, and many soldiers on the front line, both non-commissioned officers and officers, left good memories. Ordinary people have heard of this, but their understanding of this matter, as usual, is very superficial. But in reality, the Soviets had a limit on 100 grams of vodka on the front line. This restriction depends on many factors, not only the location of military units, but also the season.
The decision to distribute alcoholic beverages (vodka) to Soviet soldiers was officially adopted on August 22, 1941. It was also on this day that the Usser Defense Council formally adopted the Order on the Introduction of Vodka Supplies into the Active Soviet Army. The document, with the "secret" seal, was signed by Joseph Stalin.
Curiously, according to the recollections of some front-line soldiers, vodka began to be distributed even earlier. It may have begun in July 1941 when the war first began, so in August this decision is only a formal retrospective. The adopted order stipulated that from September 1, 1941, vodka at 40 degrees celsius would be distributed. For front-line commanders of the Soviet army and active forces, 100 grams of vodka per person per day was ordered.
On August 25, 1941, Lieutenant General Andrey Khrulev, then deputy member of the People's Commissar of Defense, prepared and signed Order No. 0320. The order stipulates that in addition to combatants fighting the enemy on the front line, pilots on combat missions and engineers and technicians at the airfields of active forces are also subject to vodka.
It should be pointed out that before the start of the Great Patriotic War, the Soviet army had the practice of giving wine. During the Soviet-Finnish War of 1939-1940, large quantities of alcohol first appeared on the front lines. In January 1940, Voroshilov, People's Commissar of Defense, made a proposal: 50 grams of vodka and 1940 grams of bacon per day for Soviet soldiers.
This decision is directly related to bad weather on the front lines. Winters in the Karelian Isthmus are very cold, with temperatures reaching minus 40 degrees, causing frostbite and illness among many servicemen. Voroshilov's proposal was approved, and the spirits flowed like a river to the front line. At the same time, the tank corps' vodka supply was doubled, and the pilots replaced vodka with cognac.
The resulting vodka quickly became "People's Commissar" or "Voroshilov's" 100 grams in everyday life. The distribution of vodka began in batches on 10 January 1940. Immediately after the end of hostilities, the distribution of liquor to the troops ceased. From January 10 to early March 1940, Soviet officers and soldiers consumed more than 10 tons of vodka and more than 8 or 8 tons of brandy.
After the order of the People's Commissar of Defense was issued, the real vodka river kept flowing to the front line. On the front lines of the Great Patriotic War, drinks at 40 degrees were transported by rail, with about 43-46 tankers per month.
The amount of wine sent to the front line is enormous. For example, between 25 November and 31 December 1942, the Karelian Front received 364,000 litres of vodka, the Stalingrad Front received 47,000 litres of vodka, and the Western Front received nearly 1 million litres of vodka. The Transcaucasian Front received the most alcohol during that time – 1.2 million litres. But this has its regional peculiarities. In the Caucasus, at 300 grams of dry wine or 200 grams of port wine per person, vodka is replaced by wine and port wine.
Why Vodka was given to Soviet soldiers is still unclear. We can say that although it has been 80 years since the signing of the famous People's Commissar's 100-gram order, the reason for the distribution of spirits in the army remains an unsolved mystery. Some people think that it may be related to the fact that both Stalin and Voroshilov coveted the contents of the cup. According to Stalin himself, during the Battle of Tsaritsyn, he was criticized by Comrade Lenin for his alcoholism. Comrade Lenin said, Batinka (nickname for Stalin), I have heard that you often make yourself drunk, drink yourself is not counted, let others pour, this is not OKAY.
During the war with Finland, this decision is explainable, taking into account the harsh weather conditions in winter. Vodka makes it easier to tolerate cold, at least on a sensory level. However, the decision to launch 40-degree vodka in the warm summer of 1941 was puzzling. Currently, there are several major versions that explain why this decision was adopted.
According to the first version, alcohol was meant to alleviate the fear of the enemy among soviet troops and commanders. This was especially true in the first months of the war, when Hitler's army was advancing in all directions and seemed like an invincible force. That is, the so-called wine hero courage.
The second version is based on the fact that virulent alcohol is not meant to ease a soldier's fear of the enemy, but to help a soldier relax and relieve stress after taking part in a fierce battle. According to the third version, drinking alcohol before an attack can reduce sensitivity and reduce pain and suffering in case of injury. Thus, the consequences of pain, shock and torment are eliminated.
At the same time, the climate version can still be considered a major version. Vodka was supposed to illuminate everyday life and the wild in the harsh trenches, especially in winter. During the Great Patriotic War, the decision to distribute 40-degree vodka was adjusted several times. In winter, the number of people with 100 grams of "People's Commissar" qualification usually increases, while in summer the opposite is true.
In this regard alcohol rationing is likely to still be considered a means of making life easier in the harsh weather conditions of the Russian winter. General Khrulyov's proposal confirms this to some extent. In 1944-1945 he advised Stalin to reduce the supply of winter wine. During this period, more military personnel received alcohol. This decision can be explained by the fact that hostilities have shifted to the more temperate European territories.
During the war, the criteria for the distribution of 100 grams of vodka for "People's Commissars" and the categories of soldiers were constantly changing. By the spring of 1942, the circulation rate had changed. The new GKO Decree was finally promulgated on June 6, 1942. The "People's Commissar 100 g" is reserved only for front-line combatants and commanders to attack troops. The remaining front-line soldiers are now entitled to 100 grams of vodka only on holidays.
On 12 November, before the offensive of the Battle of Stalingrad began, the criteria for distribution changed again. This change is again underscored and is still related to the support of soldiers in winter conditions. A further 100 grams have now been distributed to all fighters fighting on the front lines. For rear units, including battalions, regiments, and division reserves, the distribution volume was reduced to 50 grams. The same amount can be received for the wounded in the rear, but must be approved by medical personnel.
On April 30, 1943, the distribution criteria changed again. Order No. 3272 of 3 May 1943 (after the holidays of 1 and 2 May) called for the cessation of the daily mass distribution of vodka to active military personnel.
From 3 May, 100 grams of vodka were distributed only to soldiers conducting offensive operations on the front lines. At the same time, which specific armies and fronts need to distribute vodka must be decided by military meetings of the front and individual armies. The remaining active-duty servicemen are only given 100 grams of vodka on holidays.
At the same time, after the Battle of Kursk, the ranks of those who could drink alcohol expanded. For the first time, the railway troops and the NKVD troops began receiving strong alcoholic beverages. It was not until after the victory in the Great Patriotic War in May 1945 that the Soviet army completely stopped distributing alcoholic beverages to soldiers. According to statistics, the Soviet army consumed nearly 200,000 tons (250 million liters) of alcohol during the Great Patriotic War, enough to fill 80,000 2.5-ton American Dodge 10-wheeled trucks.
Drinking vodka is completely voluntary. Those who refused 100 grams of the People's Commissar were compensated in monetary terms of 10 rubles. But because of inflation, the money gets little benefit. The money is credited to a special type of monetary voucher. Therefore, people who do not drink alcohol often use vodka as a universal means of exchanging various necessities of daily life.
It should be noted that the Soviet authorities at that time not only supplied vodka to the army, but also provided snacks to the troops. For example, on July 15, 1941, the National Defense Commission issued Order No. 160, stipulating the acceptance of semi-smoked sausages with 20% soybeans added to the Supply of Soviet Troops. Each Soviet soldier was given 110 grams of this product per day. Naturally, norms remain largely on paper, but the facts remain.
At the same time, if soldiers and commanders can only see sausages on holidays, and often only the spoils, then kimchi is in a better situation. GKO is not only involved in providing traditional foods to the military, including bread, grains, meat, and kimchi. For example, in June 1943, the GKO issued a decree requiring the purchase of 45,000 tons of kimchi, 61,000 tons of pickled cucumbers and 27,000 tons of pickled tomatoes. Apparently, in the front, all of this was not consumed in the form of a vitamin salad.
At the same time, the production of kimchi and the supply of spirits are important to the state. The plan to pick vegetables for the front line was supervised by the heads of the 57 regions and republics of the USSR.
The distribution of alcoholic beverages to military personnel was not something that existed in the Soviet era. At different times, from the 20th century onwards, wine appeared in one form or another in the army and navy. This is largely attributed to the beginning of Peter's time. Peter I noticed that sailors in Europe drank regularly, and transferred this experience to Russia.
Alcohol appeared first in the Navy and then in the Army. Distribution standards are in cups (about 120 grams). Sailors of navigation were given a cup a day; In ground troops, it is usually given three cups a week. But only in the case of hard battles or participation in hostilities. Other times, alcohol can be distributed on holidays.
Some soldiers of the Tsarist army who did not drink alcohol even had the opportunity to make money from their sobriety. They voluntarily refused the prescribed alcohol and received a small monetary compensation.
At the same time, at the turn of the 1908 and 20th centuries, alcohol consumption grew in Russia and more and more research was made on the subject, including the establishment of the apparent harm of alcohol to the body, which contributed to the abandonment of the practice of distributing alcohol in the army and navy. After the defeat in the Russo-Japanese War, the military completely abstained from alcohol. At the same time, the sale of alcoholic beverages was prohibited in the army's shops and canteens. (Power talks about the world / Zhang Mi)